Metering apparatus



March 5, 1968 A. J. GRINER ET AL Re. 26,357

METERI NG APPARATUS l4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed Nov. 14. 1960 INVENTORS Aer/m? J'vP/NEQ foaser 23415350,:-

BY A ORNEY March 5, 1968 A. J. GRINER ETAL Re. 26,357

METERING APPARATUS l4 Sheets-Sheet 7 Original Filed Nov. 14. 1960 0V5? Passer 134151955 17- 8Y7 INVENTORS 4197mm? J52 ORNEY March 5, 1968 A. J. GRINER ET AL Re. 26,357

METERING APPARATUS 14 Sheets-Sheet 3 Original Filed Nov. 14. 1960 mw wink M r h 5, 196 A. .1. GRlNER ET AL 26,357

METERING APPARATUS 14 Sheets-Sheet 4 Original Filed Nov. 14. 1960 Ill IIIIH" INVE 0R5 44mm BY Biff/1C v EY March 5, 1968 A. J. GRINER ET 26,357

METERING APPARATUS l4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Original Filed Nov. 14. 1960 1.. W i r INVE TORS 77/4/12 610N5 1 BY oanz-J/z BAH/l7 ATT NEY

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March 5, 1968 A. J. GRINER ET AL METERING APPARATUS Original Filed Nov. 14. 1960 14 Sheets-Sheet f mm 2W Tmm N R wew w M wa m 4% v- W s w Z 8 m i 1 {v 7 d 5:25... 4 4) w m M 1 7 j 4 I M 7. 1 E w a m l March 5, 1968 GRINER ET AL Re. 26,357

METERING APPARATUS 14 SheetsSheet 8 Original Filed Nov. 14. 1960 INEI? March 5, 1968 A. J. GRINER E AL Re. 26,357

METERING APPARATUS Original Filed Nov. 14. 1960 14 Sheets-Sheet 9 AT RNEY March 5, 1968 J GRWER ET AL Re. 26,357

METERING APPARATUS 14 SheetsSheet 10 riginal Filed Nov. 14, 1960 INVENTORS Ann/up J P0 J March 5, 1968 A. J. GRINER ET AL Re. 26,357

METERING APPARATUS 14 Sheets-$heet 11 Original Filed Nov. 14. 1960 'Tlczrla. 57

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METERING APPARATUS l4 Sheets-Sheet 12 Original Filed Nov. 14. 1960 m Q @N wQ Q 2 r: F L L? NQ m3 N3 g i H @Q 3 Q Q 3 .3 g 1 1 o o o o o J o o e W V A M o o 0 ma 3% .Q Q mm NQN NE MQ WMQ x5 &\ Q J. 1 !II%\ I. Q m? E kw 'wE mfi H March 5, 1968 A. J. GRINER ET AL 26,357

METERING APPARATUS Original Filed Nov. 14. 1960 14 Sheets-Sheet 13 a NN mam N\N MN .mw T \NN \N\N N r @N 3 1% mm 0 O 0 @QN www mm 7 B A RNEY March 5, 1968 A. J. GRINER ETAL Re. 26,357

METERING APPARATUS l4 Sheets-Sheet 14 Original Filed Nov. 14, 1960 5 \a inf Y n c @w t mm United States Patent 26,357 METERING APPARATUS Arthur I. Griner, Wyckotf, and Robert J. Albrecht, River Edge, N..I., assignors to National Biscuit Company, a corporation of New Jersey Original No. 3,086,334, dated Apr. 23, 1963, Ser. No. 68,928, Nov. 14, 1960. Application for reissue Feb. 26, 1964, Ser. No. 377,147

41 Claims. (CI. 5326) Matter enclosed in heavy brackets appears in the original patent but forms no part of this reissue specification; matter printed in italics indicates the additions made by reissue.

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Method and apparatus for automatically handling articles, such as fig bars and similar baked goods, wherein the lead articles are stripped one at a time from each of a plurality of columns or stocks in rotation, formed into rows of spaced articles in staggered relation, and then consolidated into a single column of articles on a rotating drum. The resulting column is successively stripped from the drum with the articles in stacked-onea'ge, close-column relation, mechanically metered into spaced groups of equal numbers of articles, and conveyed to continuous packaging apparatus.

The present invention relates to improved means for metering an accurate number of articles, and more particularly pertains to an apparatus and method for automatically, continuously metering baked goods after they are discharged from the oven.

Much time and expense are involved today in handling and metering baked goods into groups of packagcablc units, commonly referred to in the trade as slugs." Baked goods themselves are fragile and careful handling of them requires time. The prior art has long appreciated the need for means of accurately metering an exact number of baked goods to a package. Without such means there is always the possibility of having either an insuflicient number or an excess of baked goods in the package. One of the fundamental difficulties involved in metering baked goods, such as cookies, biscuits or crackers, in just the correct amount is the variation in the thickness of these items which occurs during the course of production. The inability of the art to meet this problem has impeded the development of improved metering means. With the development of increased means of production it has become more and more desirable to have available improved means of accurately metering a pro-determined quantity of baked goods.

It is therefore a principal object of the present invention to provide automatic means and method of metering articles flowing along a conveying line.

Another object of the invention is to provide in the delivery of a number of rows of articles along an assembly line, improved means for delivering the articles in a single line preparatory to metering.

Another object of the invention is to provide in the delivery of articles along an assembly line, improved means for automatically, continuously segregating and metering a pro-determined number of articles in stacked on-edge condition which is independent of the variation in thickness of the articles.

Another object of the invention is to provide a feeder or transfer mechanism for supplying successive groups of articles to a rotary station in which the individual articlcs comprising each group are positively charged into said feeder mechanism in staggered relation to each other and Re. 26,357 Reissued Mar. 5, 1968 "ice maintained in staggered relation until deposited on said rotary station.

Another object of the invention is to provide a rotary stacker wheel having a plurality of peripheral pockets adapted to receive from a feeder mechanism successive groups of articles in which the individual articles are respectively individually fed and engaged in said pockets in staggered order, and means for laterally moving each group of articles in said pockets in a direction transverse to the direction of rotation into linear alignment while said stacker wheel rotates.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide in the handling of a metered amount of articles in stacked on-edge condition, improved means for maintaining said articles in said stacked on-edgc relationship while wrapping said metered articles in a packaging material.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof taken in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:

FIG. 1A is an illustration of an apparatus embodying the principles of the invention, showing a portion of the apparatus starting with the conveyor infeed assembly 12 up to the stacker wheel 23;

FIG. 1B is a continuation of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1A starting with the stacker wheel 23 shown in dotted outline and continuing to the end gripper assembly 35;

FIG. 2A is a side elevational view of the apparatus shown in FIGS. 1A and 18, showing details of construction of the apparatus, starting from the conveyor infced assembly 12 up to the reference line A-B, in which parts have been removed to show underlying parts;

FIG. 2B is a view similar to FIG. 2A but showing a continuation of the apparatus starting with reference line AB to reference line BC;

FIG. 2C is a view similar to FIG. 2B but showing a continuation of the apparatus starting with reference line BC to the end of the apparatus including the wrapping station at the end of the end gripper assembly 35;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 33 of FIG. ZA, showing details of the conveyor infeed assembly 12;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. ZA, showing details of the transfer mechanism 14;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the flight chains 15, shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 5A is a sectional view taken on the line 5A-5A of FIG. 5;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 2B, showing details of the over head pusher assembly 19;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of the overhead pusher elements 21 shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged side elevational view, partly in section, of a portion of the stacker wheel shown in FIG. 28 with parts broken away to show underlying parts;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line 99 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10' is a fragmentary exploded view of the stacker wheel in perspective with parts broken away to show underlying parts;

FIG, ll is a diagrammatic plan view of the operation of the pusher plate 156 of the stacker wheel 23 showing the progressive transverse movement of the pusher plate as the stacker wheel rotates;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged side clevational view of a portion of the oscillating finger assembly located in FIG. 2C, showing the sprocket 58 in the extreme rear position;

FIG. 13 is a side clevational view similar to FIG. 12, showing the sprocket 58 in an intermediate position;

FIG. 14 is a view similar to FIG. 12 showing the oscillating arm in a forward position;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing the details of the finger 27 of the oscillating finger assembly shown in FIGS. 12 to 14;

FIG. 16 is an enlarged side elevational view of a portion of the side gripper assembly shown in FIG. 2C with parts broken away to show underlying parts;

FIG. 17 is a sectional view taken along line l7-l7 of FIG. 16 of the rear side gripper 32b;

FIG. 18 is a sectional view taken along line 18-18 of FIG. 16 showing details of the front side gripper 32a:

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a portion of the cam track for the side grippers shown in FIGS. 16 to 18;

FIG. 20 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view taken along line 2020 of FIG. 2C showing details of the end grippers 34a and 341);

FIG. 21 is a sectional view taken along line 2121 of FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is a sectional view taken along line 2222 of FIG. 21;

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the rear end or packaging end of the machine as viewed in a direction opposite to that shown in FIG. 1B in order to more clearly illustrate the parts thereof;

FIG. 24 is a sectional view taken along line 24-24 of FIG. 23; and

FIG. 25 is a diagrammatic plan view of the end gripper assembly 35 showing the disposition of the end gripper cam track 220 and 235 in assembly with said end grippers.

For convenience, the invention will be described in connection with the segregation and metering of fig bars. However, it will be understood that the invention applies equally well to other baked goods, such as cookies, crackers and biscuits, as well as other articles or commodities.

In accordance with the invention, a series or plurality of rows of columns 10 of fig bars 11, disposed on edge is fed by a conveyor infeed assembly 12 to a downwardly inclined slide plate or charging station 13, is positively engaged by a feeder or transfer mechanism 14 comprised of a plurality of uniformly driven rows of flights 15 corresponding in number to the number of rows of fig bars fed to it, is removed and lifted up individually in rotational order from each row in staggered or stepped relation to one another by a plurality of pushers or lifter elements 16 formed as integral parts of said flights 15 (see FIG. 5) in staggered arrangement, and carried along in fiat position along a curved plate 17 to a transfer Zone which includes a transfer station 18. There, the groups of staggered fig bars 11 continue their advance by means of an overhead pusher assembly 19 having a plurality of uniformly driven flight chains 20 (see FIG. 28) carrying overhead pusher elements 21 into engagement with transversely disposed. circumferentially spaced ribs or pockets 22 positioned about the periphery of a rotary turret-like collator or stacker wheel 23. The number and arrangement of the flight chains 20 and overhead pusher elements 21 correspond to their Counterparts in the transfer mechanism 14. The stacker wheel 23 rotates continuously at a constant speed and includes cam driven side pushing means 24 which move linearly in and out of the pockets 22 to slide each group of fig bars transversely of the direction of rotation and combine each group of fig bars into linear alignment. The stacker wheel 23 carries the aligned fig bars to a discharge station 25 where they are generally removed in vertical, on-edge position. At upproximately this point, an oscillating finger assembly 26, see FIG. 2C, comprising chain driven fingers 27 are inserted at the proper time, by means of a camming mechanism 28. behind a metered quantity of fig bars to advance the metered fig bars in pack formation to an endless belt 29. There. a side gripper assembly 30 comprising a plurality of pairs of cam actuated side grippers 32 properly spaced on an endless chain 33 move into holding engagement with the metered pack when the fingers 27 rotate out of engagement. A plurality of succeeding pairs of cam actuated end grippers 34 forming part of an end gripper assembly 35 come into gripping position at the head and rear of each metered group to retain the individual fig bars of the pack formation in assembly. This permits the side grippers 32 to be released and facilitates the wrapping of packaging material about the stacked and metered fig bars. Each such pack of fig bars, confined and supportably retained in assembly by the end grippers 34, continues to advance beyond the belt 29 onto support and former plates 36, 37, see FIG. 23. As viewed in FIG. 23, a web 38 of wrapping material is progressively folded around 3 sides of the metered group as the pack of fig bars advances along the former plates 36, 37. Thereafter, the end grippers 34 are withdrawn by suitable cam action to enable completion of the wrapping operation. Thus, the equipment will automatically produce metered quantities of fig bars in pack formation from an advancing series of columns of fig bars.

Power DriveSide Gripper Assembly FIGURES 2A, 2B and 2C show how the various assemblies, such as the conveyor infeed assembly 12, the transfer mechanism 14, the stacker wheel 23, the oscillating finger assembly 26, the camrning mechanism 28, the side gripper assembly 30 and the end gripper assembly 35 are all driven in unison from the same source of power. The motor (not shown) drives a main drive shaft 40, FlG. 2C, coupled to a shaft 41 passing through a gear box 42. The shaft 41 has a worm 4-3 meshing with a worm wheel 44 keyed to a gear 45 that in turn meshes with an idler gear 46. The idler gear 46 drives a gear 47 carrying sprockets 48 which drive the side gripper chains 33 over the sprockets 4.8 and sprockets 49.

Power DriveOscillating Finger Assembly An idler gear 56 on a shaft 52 meshes with the idler 46 and thereby drives an oscillating finger drive gear 53 mounted on a rotatable shaft 54. Keyed to the shaft 54 is a sprocket wheel 55 which is connected by means of a chain 56 to a pair of sprocket wheels 57 and 58 rotatably mounted on opposite ends of a bar 59 having a pivot axis 60.

Power DriveCamming Mechanism for Oscillating Finger Assembly The sprockets 57 and 58 can be shifted as a unit about the pivot 61) for the purpose of accelerating the movement of each of the chain-driven fingers 27 as it approaches the discharge station 25. The cumming mechanism 28 for actuating the oscillation of the oscillating finger assembly 26 is driven from the idler gear 50 which meshes with a second idler gear 62 driving a pinion wheel 63 keyed to a shaft 64 on which is mounted a cam 65. When the cam 65 rotates, it moves a cam follower 66 mounted on a bell crank 67 which pivots about an axis 68 thereby moving an elongated rod 69 which is pivotably linked to the opposite end of the bell crank 67 by pin 70. This rod 69 is also linked to a shaft 72 of the sprocket 57 in such manner as to cause the pair of sprockets 57 and 58 to oscillate about their pivot axis 60 in properly timed relation to the movement of the stacker wheel 23.

Power Drive--Side Gripper Assembly and End Gripper Assembly The endless belt 29 passing through the side gripper and end gripper stations, 30 and 35, respectively is driven around pulleys 73, 74 and 75 by means of an idler gear 76 positioned between the gear 45 and a pulley drive gear 77, the latter being secured in fixed relation to the drive pulley 73-. An idler 78 mounted on an axis 79 provides the proper tension in the belt 29.

The end grippers 34 are advanced by a chain drive 80 passing over sprockets 82 and 83, the latter sprocket 83 being secured in fixed relation to the same gear, 47, for driving the side grippers 32.

Power Drive-Stacker Wheel The drive shaft 41 has a coupling 84 keyed thereto, FIG. 2C, which is connected to a power take-off shaft 85 from which the stacker wheel 23 is driven.

Referring to FIG. 2B, the power take-off shaft 85 passes into a change gear box 86, where it transmits power through a series of gears, two gears, 87 and 88, being illustrated herein. In the embodiment shown herein, the gear 87 is shown disposed at the end of the shaft 85 and the gear 88 which is in meshing relation with the gear 87 is shown disposed on a shaft 89. However, any number of gears may be provided in the change gear box 86 in order to adjust the drive of the shaft 89 to secure any speed desired. A worm 90 provided on the shaft 89 meshes with a worm gear 92 provided with a coaxially mounted pinion 92a that drives a large ring gear 93 about a stacker wheel shaft 94. The entire stacker wheel 23, including its side pushing means 24, is driven continuously by the ring gear 93.

Power DriveTransfer Mechanism The gear train for imparting motion to the transfer mechanism 14 comprises a pair of idler gears 95 and 96 which transfer motion from a driver gear 97 to a gear 98 mounted on a shaft 99 disposed adjacent the upper end of the transfer mechanism 14. The driver gear 97 together with the worm gear 92 and its pinion 92a constitute a triple gear having a common rotational velocity deriving its motivation from the worm 90. Also mounted on the shaft 99 and rotating therewith is a sprocket wheel 10%) about which is trained a chain 102 which extends downwardly and rearwardly around a second sprocket 103 mounted on a sprocket shaft 104, see FIG. 2A, disposed adjacent the lower end of the transfer mechanism 14, and then upwardly along a curved support 105 positioned below the curved supporting plate 17 and in spaced relation therewith. The pair of end sprockets 100 and 103 provide the means for uniformly driving the plurality of flights 15 and the lifter elements 16.

Power Drive-Overhead Pusher Assembly Meshing with the gear 98 is a driver gear 137 mounted on a shaft 138 which is secured to hearings in the frame (not shown). Fixed to the shaft 138 are a plurality of uniformly spaced sprockets 139 each of which, by means of a chain 20, drives a similarly disposed sprocket 142 mounted on a shaft 143 positioned in spaced parallel relation to the shaft 138.

Power Drive-Conveyor Infeed Assembly Coaxially mounted on the shaft 104, FIG. 2A, is a sprocket 106 driving a second sprocket 107 by means of a chain drive 108. This sprocket 107 is part of a variable speed control mechanism 109 which constitutes the means for driving the feed belt mechanism. The output shaft of the variable speed drive 109 drives a gear 110 which through intermediate idler gear 112 drives a gear 113 which is constructed to drive a coaxially mounted infecd drive pulley 114. The drive for the feed apparatus 12 is shown more particularly in FIGS. 1A and 2A. This includes pulleys 115, 116 and 117 connected together by a feed belt or chain 118.

Feed Apparatus for Charging Station forwardly over the supporting guide plate 112, over the puiley 117, then downwardly under the drive pulley 114. upwardly over the idler pulley 115, and then rearwardly around the end pulley 116.

In the conveying of freshly baked goods such as fig bars, care should be exercised because the fig bars tend to stick to the conveyor. For these and other reasons, it is preferred that the feed belt 118 be a wire-mesh feed chain coated with polyethylene, although other suitable conveying belts or chains capable of minimizing the aforementioned difficulty may be used.

Means are provided to prevent lateral displacement of the fig bars during their travel on the belt 118. Accordingly, one or more cross bars or supporting rods 123, see FIG. 3, is mounted on the upper portions of the frame members 120, sufficiently above the belt 118 so as not to interfere with the progress of the fig bars, and fixedly held by threaded nuts 124 which fit on complementary threaded ends of the cross bar. A plurality of guide walls or partitions 125 depending from the cross bar 123 serve to guide the fig bar columns 10 to the transfer mechanism 14.

As the columns 10 progress forwardly it is desirable to change the inclination of the fig bars 11 in order to change the relationship of the fig bars from a side'by-side relationship to a gravity feed relationship. As indicated in FIGS. 1A and 2A, the discharge end of the conveyor belt 118 is progressively inclined forwardly until it assumes the inclination of the slide plate 13. This enables the transition of the fig bars from the conveyor 12 to the charging station to occur smoothly. To offset the tendency for the fig bars to stick, the slide plate 13 is preferably in the form of a unitary hard-surfaced apron made of Tefion or other suitable material. The transmission of fig bars on the slide plate 13 establishes a supply of fig bars for the transfer mechanism 14, which is constantly urged forward by the pressure of the fig bars behind. Preferably the inclination of the slide plate 13 is approximately 20 to 35 with respect to the horizontal, although flatter or steeper inclinations may be used. In certain instances it may be desirable to steeply incline the plate 13 to aid in establishing a more positive feed. In any case, there is always a sufficient supply of fig bars on the slide plate 13 to prevent the fig bars from tumbling in the direction of incline.

Transfer Mechanism The fig bars are drawn off from the columns 10 on the slide plate 13 to the transfer mechanism 14 as will be ap parent from the previous description and the individual fig bars move one by one to the stacker wheel 23. It has been found desirable to suitably space the fig bars prior to their coming under the control of the combining mechanism of the stacker wheel 23. This is accomplished in the present invention in such manner that the fig bars traveling in a plurality of columns are transferred into a plurality of rows in staggered relation to one another. the rows of staggered fig bars corresponding to the number of columns 10.

Referring specifically to FIGS. 1A, 2A, 4 and 5, it will be noted that the transfer mechanism 14, comprises a pair of spaced endless drive belts 102 adapted to run in guideways 126 in the frame 127 of the transfer mechanism. The chains 102 straddle and transport a plurality of rows of flights 15 which are arranged to correspond in number with the columns 10 and to travel in orbits which are generally aligned respectively with the fig bar columns 10. Referring to FIGS. 1A and 2A, the orbital path of travel extends upwardly and forwardly and returns along a lower run shown in dotted outline. Each flight 15 is preferably in the form of a carriage or block member which is hingcdly connected to its adjacent flight by means of elongated pins 128. 128', so as to form in assembly a succession of stepped, interhinged lifter elements. Provision is made for any changes that may occur in the pitch distance between hinge pins 128 and 128' as they travel in the orbital path of the conveying chain 102 by means of a slot or groove 129 in each of the flights 15. The ends of the pins 128, 128 are secured to yokes 130 that are connected to the inside surfaces of the chains 102 by short, reduced diameter bars or chain links 131 which pass through slotted plates 132 preferably made of nylon to reduce friction. Integral with each flight 15 is a pair of the bifurcated flights or lifter elements 16 which extends upwardly through spaced slotted openings 133 in the curved plate 17. Corresponding slots 133a are provided in the slide plate 13 for the passage therethrough of the lifter elements 16.

As best scen in FIGS. 2A and 4, the leading fig bars in each stacked column on the slide plate 13 is disposed flatly against the steeply inclined surface of the curved plate 17. Consequently, as the lifter element 16 traveling in the corresponding row of the conveying chain 192 approaches the charging station 13, the bifurcated flights 16 extend sumciently through the slots 133 in the curved plate 17 to engage the leading fig bar and push it up. A stop or gate 134 secured by clamping nuts 135 to the frame members 127 (see FIG. 4) allows the stripping off or removal of one fig bar at a time from each column. By this operation the leading fig bar is drawn off from each column 10 where it is disposed in an on-edge position. and pushed up the curved plate 17 where it is carried in flat position, by the bifurcated flights 15, and the stacked column 10 advances along the charging station to close the gap created by the removed fig bar. As will be apparent, succeeding flights in this column will remove the fig bars from the stacked column 10 one by one to the transfer zone 18 of the curved plate 17. Spaced guide rails 136 serve to guide the removed fig bars toward the transfer Zone 18.

It witl be noted in FIGS. 1A and 4 that the disposition of the lifter element 16 in each set is such that the drawing off of individual fig bars from each row occurs in rotational order and this order of withdrawal is repeated by each set of lifter elements. In this manner the fig bars are fed in regular spaced procession and in staggered relation to one another along the curved plate 17 toward the transfer station 18.

Means are provided for picking up the spaced fig bars on the transfer station 18 and transferring them to the pockets 22 of the stacker wheel 23. This may be accomplished in the present invention by the overhead pusher assembly 19 comprising the flight chains that are uniformly driven by the gear 137. Referring to FIGS. 6

and 7. each of the flight chains 20 comprises a series of side links 144 and interconnected crosslinks 145 which are adapted to fit between the teeth or spokes 146 of its associated sprockets 139, 142. Each chain 20 carries a plurality of spaced U-shaped carriages 147 which straddle the side links 144 of the chain and are attached thereto by pairs of link pins 145a and 145b. Any change in the pitch distance of the link pins 145a, 145b as they travel around the sprocket 139, 142 is provided for by a slot 148 in the carriage 147. Mounted on the carriage 147 is the pusher element 21. As viewed in FIG. 2B, the upper flights of the chains 20 travel rearwardly along a horizontal path and return along a lower run in a forward direction. The several rows of overhead pusher elements 21 are staggered with respect to one another and are disposed approximately in the respective planes of the rows of lifter elements 15.

As each staggered group of fig bars approaches the transfer station 18, it is smoothly engaged by the upper pusher elements 21, which are so spaced that they arrive behind each of the staggered fig bars and travel between the bifurcations of the lifting elements 16, as clearly shown in FIG. 6. Thereafter, the lifter elements 16 start to recede in the slots 133. By the time the fig bars reach the tran fer station 18 the slotted openings 133 have been passed, the bifurcated lifting elements 16 have been fully receded, and the overhead pushers 21 are able to freely move the fig bars along the transfer station 18 between the guide rails 136.

There is a tendency for the fig bars to be carried upwardly by the upper pusher element 21 at the end of its lower run. To obviate this situation, the upper portions of guide rails 136 in the vicinity of transfer station 18 may be provided respectively with transversely spaced keeper platcs or wings 149, the height and the extent of lateral overhang of each wing 149 being such as to allow fig bars 11 to pass thereunder and to permit the pusher elements 21 to rise therebetween, see FIG. 7.

Stacker wheel The staggered rows of fig bars from the transfer plate 18 are fed into the continuously rotating stacker wheel 23. Said stacker wheel 23 comprises a hollow cylindrical drum 150, a circular side wall 151 enclosing one end of the wheel, and a central bearing 1S2 fixed to the side wall for rotating said wheel about the wheel axle 94. The stacker wheel also includes the spaced pockets 22 arranged about the peripheral surface of the drum 150. Each pocket 22 comprises a receiving support table or wall 153 having a width approximately the long dimension of the fig bar, a relatively narrower shelf or wall 154 disposed parallel thereto, and a connecting wall 155 of a width slightly larger than the thickness of the fig bar and integrally united with the walls 153 and 154. In assembly, the shelf 154 constitutes a lip forming an integral part of the wall 153 of the preceding adjoining pocket 22. A viewed in FIG. 2B, the walls 153 and 154 are disposed approximately horizontally in the vicinity of the transfer station 18 and are approximately vertical in the area of the discharge station 25.

The individual fig bars of each group are delivered in rotation to the successive pockets 22 in the stacker wheel 23 in the same staggered order in which they are supplied. Consequently, each pocket is made substantially similar, except that the length of the individual pockets in each group will vary. That is to say, the pockets in each group will start at one edge of the wheel 23 and extend laterally in stepped relation to one another toward the other edge of the wheel 23. In this manner each group of staggered fig bars being fed into the pockets of the stacker wheel will be deposited into a group of pockets which have been suitably stepped to receive them. Interference of the shelf 154 with the deposition of a fig bar in the associated pocket 22 may be avoided in the present instance by foreshortening such shelf at its stepped extremity, thereby in effect forming the receiving end of the pocket into an angular or V-shaped slot 161, the remainder of the pocket being generally U-shaped. It will be appreciated however, that the pockets 22 may be angular or V-shapcd over the entire length thereof, if so desired.

In the present invention provision is made for depositing in rotational order a series of groups of staggered rows of fig bars on the stacker wheel 23 at one station along the travel thereof, combining the fig bars into a single row, and removing the fig bars in metered quantitles at a single place at a second station along the travel of the stacker wheel 23, in proper alignment and proper condition for packaging. To this end, the cam actuated side pushing means 24 comprises a plurality of circumferentially spaced pusher plates 156 rotating about the stationary axle 94 of the stacker wheel 23. The pusher plates 156 are each carried by a side pusher arm or angled support 157, see FIG. 9, having a bearing 158 that is slidably carried on a transverse guide rod 159 mounted between the side wall 151 of the stacker wheel and an annular wall 160. This annular wall 160 is secured to the inner edge of the drum 156. Slots 162 define clearance spaces through which the angled support can radially extend. A second rod 163, parallel to rod 169, passing through the angled support 157 and having its ends retained in the side wall 151 and the annular wall 160, prevents relative rotation between the stacker wheel 23 and the pusher plate 156.

The pusher plate 156 is in the form of the toothed plate having a plurality of fingers or extensions 164 which correspond in number and conform to the cross-sectional shape of a group of the staggered pockets 22. During a cycle of rotation of the stacker wheel 23, the set of fingers 164 are actuated into a combining action by a cam which will now be explained.

There are a number of pusher plates 156 mounted on angled supports carried by the stacker wheel 23, one for each group of stepped pockets 22 therein. Each of these angled supports 157 carries a cam roller or follower 165 projecting from the sleeved bearing 158. All of these cam rollers 165 operate in a single cam track or groove 166 in a stationary cam drum 167 which is mounted on the axle 94 of the stacker wheel 23 and disposed within the hollow of the stacker wheel 23.

In assembly, the drum 150, the guide rods 159 and 163, the pusher plates 156 and the cam drum 167 are concentrically disposed, with the pocketed surface of the drum 150 between the pusher plates 156 and the guide rods, and the cam drum 167 extending inside the relatively larger drum 150.

As the stacker wheel 23 rotates it carries the pusher plate 156 and the angled support 157 as a unit through a circular path and causes the cam roller 165 to traverse the cam groove 166. This travel of the angled support 157 and the shape of the cam groove 166 slides the sleeve 158 along the guide rod 159, effecting a transverse movement of the pusher plate 156 and also a transverse movement of the set of fingers 164 in the group of pockets 22 associated therewith. Referring to FIG. 11, there is shown a diagrammatic plan of various stages in the combining action of the side pusher arm 157 and its associated pusher plate 156. During the transverse travel of the plate 156 the individual fingers 164 travel as a unit through a group of the pockets 22, progressively contacting the grouping of staggered rows of fig bars and pushing the contacted fig bars toward the opposite ends of the pockets. It is this transverse movement of the fingers 164 in the pockets 22 that progressively shifts the fig bars toward the opposite ends of the pockets 22 to combine or form them in linear alignment. It is to be understood however, that the combining of the fig bars into linear alignment may be accomplished at either end of the pockets 22, or at any intermediate position, if so desired.

When the fig bars reach the point in their travel in the vicinity of the discharge station they are fully aligned adjacent to the edge of the stacker wheel 23 and positioned above a circumferential slot 168 which cooperates with the discharge station 25 to receive the aligned fig bars. For this purpose, the discharge station 25 is provided with a narrow extension 169 which extends into the interior of the circumferential slot 168 to remove the fig bars from the stacker wheel 23. As the fig bars are stripped from the stacker wheel 23, the transverse movement of the pusher plate 156 is properly timed with the rotation thereof so that it is substantially at a standstill relative to the transverse direcion of travel. This position of the pusher plate 156 is clearly indicated in the dotted outline position to the left of the slot 168 as viewed in FIG. 9. Upon passing the extension 169 of the discharge station 25, the pusher plate 156 resumes its transverse travel to the edge of the stacker wheel 23, as indicated in the dotted outline position to the right of the slot 168 as viewed in FIG. 9, in order to scrape and clear the pockets 22 of any residual portions or parts of fig bars that may have been retained therein. During the remaining portion of the cycle of revolution, the action of the cam follower 165 in the cam groove 166 imparts a retrograde movement to the pusher plate 156, causing it to retrogress along its path of slide and revert to its original position.

It will be observed that for purposes of metering, a small clearance space 170 is provided in the stacker wheel 23 between each of the combined groups of fig bars.

Oscillating Finger Assembly To form a unit of the desired number of fig bars to be packaged, one or more of the spaced groups of fig bars in the stacker wheel 23 is automatically metered. The means of metering is related to the number of rows of fig bars that is delivered to the stacker wheel 23. The general scheme of metering employed in the present invention takes place in three steps. First, the moving columns of fig bars on the slide plate 13 are segregated, one at a time, into a desired staggered grouping containing as many fig bars as there are columns of fig bars. If there are five columns, these columns will be segregated into groups of five staggered fig bars in the manner illustrated and described herein. This operation distributes the fig bars without regard to the thickness of the individual fig bar. Thereafter, the staggered groups are combined into a single column. Suitable clearance space is provided between each combined group so that any number of groups can be later consolidated to form the desired unit. Lastly, the movement of the single column of spaced groups of fig bars is timed in coordination with the movement of the indexing finger 27 of the oscillating finger assembly 26 to meter the groups into a packageable unit having the desired number of fig bars. Thus, three groups of fig bars may be combined to form a slug pack" or unit consisting of fifteen fig bars. Obviously, a larger or smaller number of groups of fig bars may be consolidated by making suitable changes, such as in the shape of the cam or the speed of the chain 56. It will also be apparent that while three groups of fig bars may be consolidated to make up a packageable unit of fifteen fig bars, the unit may also he composed from five groups containing three fig bars each. In the above manner, by suitable variation, a packageable unit containing any desired number of fig bars may be automatically formed.

The oscillating finger assembly or collecting mechanism 26 comprises the pair of chains 56 spaced slightly apart and carrying therebetween the fingers 27 as shown in FIGS. 13 and 2C. The fingers 27, shown in detail in FIG. 15 are each formed integral with a pair of convergent arms 172 and 173, and are uniformly disposed along the chain 56 by means of chain cross links 174 and 175, passing respectively through a sleeve 176 in the arm 173 and a slot 177 in the arm 172. The slot 177 compensates for any changes in pitch between the links of the chain 56. The fingers 27 are adapted to move into the slot 168 of the stacker wheel 23 at the properly timed moment in the vicinity of the space and push the groups of combined fig bars from the stacker wheel on to the horizontal discharge station 25 and then on to the conveyor belt 29 where the jaws of the grippers 32 take over.

By referring to FIG. 12 it will be noted that for the finger 27 to arrive in the space 170 in the stacker wheel 23, its approach will have to interfere with the approach path of travel of the fig bars on the stacker wheel 23. To obviate this possibility, provision is made in the present invention for pivoting the fingers 27 about the pivot axis 60 so that they can be inserted into the space 176 and extend into the slot 168 at the proper time without damaging the approaching fig bars. In the present illustration, the fingers 27 are inserted behind every third group of fig bars to make up a unit of fifteen fig bars stacked on edge. By synchronizing the action of the cam mechanism 28 with the rotation of the stacker wheel 23, a clockwise pivotal movement is imposed on the normal movement of the finger 27 in the vicinity of the sprocket 58 as such finger is being inserted in the slot 168. This imparts an accelerated movement to the finger 27 and enables it to be rapidly inserted in the space 170 behind the fifteenth fig bar. By a reverse camming action the sprockets 57, 58 are rcvcrsely oscillated to return them to a proper position to enable the next finger 27 to be inserted behind the next unit of fifteen fig bars. FIG. 12 depicts the position of the finger 27 during the period of clockwise oscillation about the pivot axis which occurs during the period of insertion of the finger 27 in space 170. FIG. 13 is similar to FlG. 12 but shows the position of the finger 27 as the sprocket 58 is being returned by counterclockwise rotation about the pivot axis 60. FIG. 14 shows the furthest extent of travel of the sprocket 58 in a counterclockwise direction. At this point the next finger 27 will start its approach to enter the space as the sprocket 58 commences its clockwise oscillatory motion.

Side Gripper Assembly The construction and operation of the side gripper assembly 30 are illustrated in FIGS. 16 to 19. The side gripper assembly 30 comprises a pair of forward side grippers 32a and a pair of rear side grippers 32b which are straddled and are transported by the pair of endless side gripper chains 33 disposed below the upper run of the conveyor belt 29. Each of the chains 33 com prise interconnected links 179 which run in a groove 180 in the frame 182. and cross link chain pins 183 which pass through a slotted plate 184 and are connected to the side grippers. The path of the grooves 180 is generally parallel to the path of the chain 33 as it travels around the end sprockets 68 and 4 Referring to FIGS. 16 and 17, the rear gripper 32b comprises a longitudinal carriage body 185 having two pairs of laterally extending ears 186, one at each end. Each pair of the ears 186 is connected to the side gripper by chain 33, through the pins 183 which fit in openings 137 and 188 in the ears. it will be noted. that the opening 188 is in the form of a slot for the purpose of compensating for any change that might occur in the pitch distance between the links of the chain 33. Disposed on one side of the gripper 32 is a rock shaft 189 extending lengthwise of the carriage body 185 and through apertures 190 in the ears 186. Similarly, a like shaft 189 extends th ough the ears 186 on the opposite side of the carriage body. Each shaft 189 pivotally carries a block 192 to which is rigidly secured a holder arm 193 carrying at its end a gripper pad 194. The block 192, the holder arm 103, and the gripper body 194 are free to oscillate as a unit in the carriage body 185 about the axis of the rock shaft 189. A pair of coil springs 195 connected between the holder arms 193 urges the gripper pads 194 into solid outline in FIG. 17. The holder arm 193 of the forward and rear side grippers 32a and 32b have brackets 196a and 19 11 for supporting cam followers or rollers 197a and 197b, respectively, which run along a cam track having an upper camming surface 198 and a lower camming surface 199. The roller 19721 is at a higher level than the roller ]97b, and so rides along the upper surface 198 of the cam track, while the roller 197h ritics along the cam surface 199. The cam track is secured to the bottom of plate 200, along the top surface of which the upper run of the conveyor belt 29 slides.

A stop plate 202 secured to the upper surface of the carriage body 185 is provided with slotted openings 203 to limit the inward and outward movements of the gripper ads 194, As shown in FIG. 19 the upper camming surface 198 has three operative sections 2043, 205a and Zflfia, and the lower cumming surface 199 has operative sections 204b, 2115b and 20Gb. When the front side gripper roller 197a is riding on the upper cam of section 204a, the front side gripper 32a is held in an open position so that it may be advanced to clamp the front end of the metered group A shown in FIG. 12, which travels at a slightly lower linear speed than said gripper. As the front gripper 32a approaches the front end of the metered group A, the roller 197a rides off the section 204a ard the closed position shown in comes into adjacency with section 20521, causing the springs 195 to urge the holder arms 193 together and bring the gripper pads 194 into gripping action with the sides of the metered unit as shown in FIGS. 2C and 16. At the same time, the roller 197b of the rear gripper 2b rides on the lower cam section 2015b to similarly cause the gripper pads 194 thereof to close. The grippers, 32a and 32b. are spaced from each other a distance approximately the length of a metered unit. Consequently, the gripping action performed by the gripper 32a upon the sides of the advancing end of the metered unit A is effected simultaneously with the gripper 32b upon the opposite end of the metered unit. When the grippers close, the metered group A commerces to travel at a higher speed, thereby creating a space between the metercd group A and the next following group, This space may be subsequently utilized to provide room for sealing and cutting the ends of the packaging material to be wrapped around such metered unit. As soon as the grippers close upon the sides of the metered unit A, see FIG. PC, the finger 27 at the head of the metered unit starts to travel around the end sprocket 53 of the oscillating finger assembly, thereby increasing the peripheral speed of the finger 27 and causing it to rise without interfering with the advance of the metered unit. The side grippers 32a and 32b advance the metered unit at a uniform rate of speed. Thus, under the influence of the side grippers, the belt 29 slips relatively to the fig bars. The speed of the next set of side grippers is coordinated to come into gripping action at the front and rear portions of the next succeeding metered unit at approximately the time when the next finger 27 reaches the sprocket 53.

When the roller 197a of the front gripper 32a rides on the upper cam section 206a, the holder arms 193 are forced outwardly to release the gripper pads 194. This occurs as the front gripper 32a approaches the vicinity of the end sprocket 49, see FIG. 2C. However, prior to the instant the front gripper 32a is released. a front light finger 34a, constituting an element of the front end gripper assembly 353, traveling at the same speed as the front side gripper 32a is inserted in front of the leading fig bar to prevent it from falling forward. Following the release of the front side gripper, the rear side gripper 32b is similarly released when it approaches the section 285i) of the cam track in the vicinity of the sprocket 49, at which time the rear end gripper finger 34b is cammed into position to retain the metered unit in assembly. Thereafter. the side grippers 32 travel around the sprockets 49, 48 to repeat their cycle of operation.

End Gripper Assembly The front and rear end grippers, 34a and 34b, of the end gripper assembly 35 rotate with the dual chain 80 around the sprockets 82, 83 (see FlGS. 1B and 2C). The end gripper assembly shown in detail in FIGS. 20 to 25 comprises a carriage 20S suitably transported by the pair of endless chains 80 at the same speed and in the direction in which the metered units are moving. Each of the chains 84} comprise interconnected cross links 209, see FIG. 22. which ride in a slotted plate 210 secured to a frame 211 having a groove 212 for the reception of the end links 221 of the chain 80. The chains 80 are disposed on opposite sides of the carriage body 208 and are suitably secured thereto by the pins 209 of the chain. The carriage 208 is provided with a pair of parallel arms, 213 and 214, which are pivotally attached at one end to upstanding studs, 215 and 216, respectively, FIG. 20. and are loosely pivotally secured at the other end to the end grippers 34 by pivot bolts 217, 218. Bolts .217 and 218 are spaced a distance apart approximately equal to the space between the studs, 215. 216, to thereby form a parallel linkage system. Attached to the arm 213 is a fixed pin on which loosely rotates a cam roller or follower 219. This cam follower 219 is adapted to 

